Is mycoplasma infection harmful to pregnant women?

Mycoplasma is a normal flora of the female reproductive tract

So is mycoplasma really that scary? In fact, mycoplasma itself is one of the normal flora of the female reproductive tract. It was found that up to 60% of women in the healthy physical examination population could be detected with mycoplasma. It coexists with the host and does not show symptoms of infection. It only causes opportunistic infections under certain conditions. In other words, mycoplasma is a conditionally pathogenic bacterium. If the mycoplasma is in a normal carrying state, the immune system remains normal, and only mycoplasma parasitizes in the reproductive tract and does not cause adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Mycoplasma overgrowth after pregnancy

During pregnancy, the mother's reproductive tract resistance is reduced, making it easy to be invaded by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, and reproductive tract infections often occur. For example, mycoplasma can over-reproduce, and when it reaches a certain number, it will destroy the immune balance. There is still controversy over whether mycoplasma alone can cause inflammation of the reproductive tract, and most people believe that it is a secondary infection.

Five high-risk factors for mycoplasma infection

Which pregnant mothers are prone to mycoplasma infection? Let's take a look at the high-risk factors for mycoplasma infection:

1. Women who have their first sexual intercourse at the age of less than 20 years old.

2. Those who have frequent sexual activity before pregnancy, multiple sexual partners or sexual partners infected with chlamydia.

3. Patients with other infections, especially those with gonococcal infection.

4. Those who experience vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse.

5. Low economic status, lack of education, etc.

The harm of mycoplasma infection to mother and child

So, what effects will mycoplasma infection have on mother and child?

Before pregnancy – causes infertility

After mycoplasma infection in the reproductive tract before pregnancy, mycoplasma ascends along the cervix and uterine body to the fallopian tube, causing local inflammatory reaction, cilia shedding and tubal epithelial damage, which in turn causes endometritis and fallopian tube obstruction. Tubal infertility accounts for about 60% of female infertility.

1/3. Ureaplasma urealyticum can also adsorb on the surface of sperm and hinder its movement, which is also one of the causes of infertility.

Early and mid-pregnancy - leading to miscarriage, embryo arrest, etc.

Late pregnancy – leading to premature rupture of membranes and premature birth

Infection in late pregnancy can lead to premature rupture of membranes, premature birth, etc. The reason is attributed to mycoplasma retrograde infection, which often causes infection and inflammatory response of the decidua and chorion, inflammatory cell infiltration, leukocyte infiltration, tissue edema, fibrous tissue hyperplasia, and elasticity decrease or disappearance at the infected site, resulting in increased local fragility and decreased toughness of the fetal membrane, causing premature rupture of membranes. At the same time, the inflammatory response also prompts the conversion of arachidonic acid on the fetal membrane into prostaglandins, inducing uterine contractions and leading to premature birth. In addition, severe infection can lead to fetal growth restriction or even stillbirth.